President Trump’s former personal lawyer is being investigated over more than $20 million in loans to taxi companies owned by him and his family — and could face charges within the next two weeks, according to a new report Sunday.
Michael Cohen is also being probed over deals to buy the silence of women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, the New York Times reported.
Federal authorities are in the final stage of their investigation and are weighing charges including bank and tax fraud and violations of campaign finance law, people familiar with the matter told the paper.
Prosecutors are considering filing charges against Cohen by the end of the month, two of the sources reportedly said.
The FBI raided Cohen’s office, home and hotel room in April, sparking criticism from President Trump, who called the searches a “disgraceful situation” and an “attack on our country in a true sense.”
The investigation of Cohen, which is being handled by the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office, grew out of evidence uncovered by Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller, who is examining Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race and suspected collusion with Trump’s campaign.
Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman, a Trump appointee, reportedly was recused from the case by Justice Department officials under Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing the Mueller probe.
Cohen and his lawyers declined repeated requests for comment since last week, the Times said.